Oleksandr Usyk has just one requirement of Jake Paul before seemingly saying yes to his bizarre fight challenge.
The undisputed heavyweight boxing champion reclaimed all the belts tonight when he knocked out Daniel Dubois within five rounds at Wembley Stadium. But the headlines were dominated by his post-fight antics in the ring, which included a face-off with controversial influencer-turned-boxer Paul.
Since his win over former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr last month, Paul has been back at peak relevance in the boxing world. He is now ranked at number 14 in the cruiserweight division by the WBA, and appears to be somehow lining up a fight with Anthony Joshua for next year.
Oleksandr Usyk responds to Jake Paul for first time after face-off
It initially seemed that the face-off between Jake Paul and Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night was little more than a photo opp for both men. They were cordial in the ring with the American telling the champion that he had shut up his doubters with another great victory.
Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Everything about the face-off appeared to be staged, but when Usyk was asked in the post-fight press conference if he was ready for the fight, he seemed to give a detailed answer to Ukrainian media.
In a briefly translated segment, he told the press in English: “Yes, I am ready but I need to rest.” Indeed, when it came to even naming a next challenger for his belts, Usyk had a similar answer in the ring, refusing to commit to Joseph Parker or even a trilogy with Tyson Fury.
Jake Paul wants MMA fight with Oleksandr Usyk
When he posted video from his perspective of the face-off with Usyk, Jake Paul made it very clear that he wants the fight under MMA rules. He is a part owner of the PFL, and has previously committed to fighting with the promotion, although the opportunity has yet to arise.
In his post, which Usyk shared to his own page as a collaborator, Paul wrote: “Congrats to one of the greatest heavyweights of all time @usykaa on a huge win. I respect you a lot. Now we do an MMA match for the world.”
The social media star has a background in wrestling from his high school days, although his brother Logan Paul had a more decorated record and managed to graduate. Jake finished school from set on his Disney Channel show Bizaardvark after leaving their native Ohio in his senior year.
As for Usyk, his exact background in MMA is unknown although he claims to have trained in all of the martial arts, aside from just boxing. He has also been seen training with former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov.